Wheel and axle assembly



Dec. 5, 1967 D, A, COHEN 3,356,840

ELECTRIC LIGHT FIXTURE MOUNTING Filed Jan. 30, l1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l Illlllll 4 Ik /NVENTOR DAVID A. COHEN l BY ATTORNEY Dec. 5, 1967 D. A. COHEN 3,356,840

ELECTRIC LIGHT FIXTURE MOUNTING Filed Jan. 30, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /NVENTOR DAVID A. COHEN BY www1 LAMP ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,356,840l ELECTRIC LIGHT FIXTURE MOUNTING David A. Cohen, 744 Foothill Drive, San Mateo, Calif. 94402 Filed Jan. 30, 1967, Ser. No. 612,384 5 Claims. (Ci. 240-78) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A light fixture mounting structure employing a releasable yoke member to detachably secure a fixture to an outlet box. A receptacle is recessed within the box on a riser member, and a plug member carried by the yoke member and connected to the fixture is inserted into the box to make electrical connections. The yoke member releasably engages the box cover to support the plug and fixture, and the riser member prevents the ends of the yoke member from contacting wiring within the box.

Related applications This application is a contnuation-in-part of my copending application, Ser. No. 535,439, filed Mar. 18, 1966.

Background of the invention This invention relates in. general to electric light fixture mountings, and relates more particularly to such mountings by means of which light fixtures may be easily installed and removed.

In the above-identified application, there is disclosed a light fixture mounting structure which permits the easy installation and removal of light fixtures from wall and ceiling outlets. That light fixture mounting structure employs a yoke member which supports a male plug element connected to the fixture and engageable with a female receptacle outlet in the box. The yoke member is releasably engaged with a cover on the outlet box to permit easy installation and removal of the fixture, and when the yoke member is engaged with the outlet box cover, it serves the dual functions of mechanically supporting the fixture and preventing any rotation or other undesired movement of the plug in the receptacle. This structure permits the installation and removal of light fixtures without requiring the splicing and unsplicing of wires or the use of large canopies to hide the connections, as required in the prior art devices.

Summary of the 4invention The structure of the present invention is an improvement on my above device which retains all the advan` tages of that device while providing several additional desirable features. In accordance with this invention, a riser member is employed to position the -female receptacle within the outlet box, and this riser is constructed so that the receptacle is recessed Within the outlet box, rather than having its surface fiush with the outer surface of the box as in my prior device. By having the receptacle recessed within the box, this permits the plug to be inserted at least partly within the box for making connection with the receptacle. This, in turn, results in less of the plug' extending or protruding from the outlet box and permits the yoke member, which supports the plug, to be made shallower so that all types of fixture canopies may be employed, even those with a very shallow depth. An additional function of the riser member is to cover the ends of the yoke member which extend through the cover or adapter plate on the outlet box, to prevent these ends from coming into electrical contact with the wires in the box.

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In the preferred form of the invention, the riser member is secured to the cover or adapter plate for the outlet box and extends somewhat above it into the box. The female receptacle is secured to the riser member so as to position the electrical receptacle openings over the central opening in the adapter plate. The receptacle is thus recessed within the outlet box, and the plug may be inserted through the central opening in the adapter plate to engage the receptacle, with a portion of the plug disposed within the outlet box. The yoke member is then releasably engaged with special openings in the adapter plate to firmly hold the plug in the receptacle and to support the fixture. The riser member extends over the ends of the yoke which protrude through the openings in the adapter plate, thus preventing these ends from making electrical contact with wiring within the outlet box.

The present invention may be employed with any suitable type of fixture, including cord-hung or chain-hung. If a cord-hung fixture is employed, the fixture will be provided with a cord restrainer which is supported by the yoke member and which serves to remove any strain from the wires in the plug. If a chain-hung xture is utilized, the yoke member is provided with a hook to receive the end of the chain. Similarly, the present invention may be employed in fixtures with or without plastering rings.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an improved lighting fixture mounting which is easily installed and removed and which results in a compact structure.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a lighting fixture mounting employing a yoke member which is detachably secured to an adapter plate cover on an outlet box having a female receptacle recessed therein, the yoke member supporting an electrical plug which extends into the outlet box to mate with the receptacle when the yoke is positioned by extending the ends thereof through openings in the adapter plate.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a lighting fixture mounting employing a yoke member which is detachably secured to an outlet box cover carrying a riser member which positions a female receptacle in recessed position within the outlet box, the yoke member supporting an electrical plug which extends into the outlet box to mate with the receptacle when yoke is positioned by extending the ends thereof through openings in the cover.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a lighting fixture mounting employing a yoke member which is detachably secured to an outlet box cover carrying a riser member which positions a female receptacle in recessed position within the outlet box, the yoke member supporting an electrical plug which extends into the outlet -box to mate with the receptacle when the yoke is positioned by extending the ends thereof through openings in the cover, the riser member extending beyond the ends of the yoke member to prevent contact of the ends with the wiring the outlet box.

Brief description of the drawings Objects and advantages other than those set forth above will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view, partly in section, showing the details of the mounting structure of this invention used to suspend a ceiling lighting fixture;

FIGURE 2 is a side view, partly in section, of the mounting structure, illustrating the hinging action of the yoke member;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the yoke member;

Description of the preferred embodiment Referring to FIGURE 1, the invention is illustratedV in' connection' with mounting alight fixture 11 on a ceiling^12 Ceiling.l 12 maybe provided with a conventional junction or outlet box 13, as shown, which is secured to ceiling'123 and rafters by' any suitable means, such as by a' strap 14 extending. across adjacent? rafters. Electrical power isV supplied into box 13 by conductors 16 which are connected to aA suitable' power source (not shown). Conductors 16` are connected within boxv 13 to a receptacle 17 having' openings thereinY for the insertion of the prongs of an electrical' plug. Receptacle 17 may be of any suitable type, such as'one having three openings therein for receiving a-three prong-plug;

Receptacle 17 ismounted on a riser member' 18 which locatesthel receptacle in aiy recessed position within box 13, Asbest'r shown in FIGURE 5, riser member IS-has a generally planar surface having an opening therein for receiving receptacle 17. Riser member 18 is also provided witha pair' of downwardly extending legs or tabs 1'8b which support the riser member on an adapterplate 21. Legs 18])` may be secured to adapter plate-21l by any suitable means, such as spot welding or the like'.

Adapterplate-Zl supportsriser member 18- and receptacle'17,and is secured to the outlet box'in any suitable manner; If? af plastering ring is employed in mounting the fixture, as is required under the electrical. codes-in-some areas',this ring will be secu-red to the` outlet b'ox, and the adapter plate in turnwill be secured to the plastering ring. Inv the. illustrated embodiment, suchalplastering ring 23 is assumed-to be u's'edi-Assh'own, ring-23 is securedto outlet boxk 13 by screwsf24 (FIGURE 1) which. extendthroughopen'in gs 23a` (FIGURE 4) in the ring andlenga ge corresponding th-readedtopeningsin box13.- The lowery end of ring'r 23,1 which ush with theceiling surface' onl which` the xture isto bel mounted, isl provided? with threaded openings 23b (FIGURE`4) to receivescrews-ZS which pass through'I correspondingv openings 21b (FIG- URE in*` adapter' plate 21 to secure the adapter plate', as Well as riser 18 and receptacle 17, to' the plastering ringf and outlet box-13.

On the other hand, when no plastering; ring is* employed,.outlet box'13willbe'fmounted so-that its lower edge is iiush with the ceiling surface, and adapter plate 21 will besecureddirectly 'thereto byV screws2`41extending through openings' 21a y in` the adapter plateVA andf engaging the-threaded openings inbox L3:

Receptacle; 17 is securedito friser member 18 inanyl suitable manner,suchfasby'makingthe receptacle of af twopartfconstruction. Thismay= takethefform of-anupper portion-17aand a'- lower portion- 1.7 b 'which is detachably secured to the .upper' portion. Lower portion17bfis slightlyv larger than' the rectangular opening` inriser member-18, and-when. member' 17b isftighteneditomember 1721,' the receptacle is clampedrto/riser'18between`member 17 b. and -ribs 17e on upper member 17a.

Referring now to'l FIGURE 3,=,this invention provides a yoke member 27 which serves the dual functions of mechanicallyr4 supporting' the: fixture' relativey to box 13 and! of 1 firmly:v positioning ythe electrical plug which. mates with receptacle17 in"box113. Yo`ke12f7fisrofv` the general shape shown in FIGURE 3 and is provided at each end withu'pwardly. extending tab or tip portions 27e, `272i' having a T-shapel,y These tip.- portions cooper-ate with corresponding openings 21C, 21d (FIGURE 5) 'in adapterplate 21to provide-a lockingfaction forfthe yoke. The *width-of the head'ofA the T-sh'aped portioni27cissuch-thatlit will not pass through the large portion of thelopening 21e. Thuswhentipportion 27C is insertedthroughthe narrow portion of opening 21e, the head portion of the tip will act to hold the yoke at that end.

The width of the head of` the T -shaped portion 27d is such that it will pass through the corresponding head of the T-shaped slot 21d. By making yoke 27 of a material having a suitable resilience or spring, and by designing it such that the distance between tips 27C, 27d is slightly larger than the distance between openings 21C, 21d, it will be seenI that ak locking action is provided. That is, tip 27C is first inserted in opening 21cthrough the narrow shank portion thereof. Then tip 27d is pressed inwardly suiiiciently to allowitI to-pass through-the head of the T- shaped slot 21d.

In the preferred form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, opening 21ais provided with` upstanding lugs 21e as shown (FIGURE 5) whichextend abovelth'e adapter plate and serve to more firmly lock tip27d of` yoke' member 27 in` opening- 21d; After tip 27d is inserted' through opening 21d, it is raisedabove lugs 21e, andthe pressure on the yoke is then released. This causes the end of the` yoke to spring outwardly withthe shank of the T of tip 27d slidingv in the correspondingshankof the T of slot 21d. It will be seen thaty lugs- 21e prevent tip 27d from being dislodged from opening 21d by accident or inadvertence. However, the yoke may be easily removed by lifting tip27d above lugs 21e and then pressing the end of the yoke inwardly until it overlies the T-shaped portion of'o'pe'ning 21d so that the tip 27d may then be pulled downwardly to free it 'from opening 21d;

In addition to the above supporting action, the yoke member also positions and supportsVv the electrical plug which cooperates with receptacle 17. This plug-may be of any suitable type, such as a plug 312 having prongs 31a`- which are adapted to extendv into the openings'in receptacle 17. As seen in FIGURE 2, plug131` has-electrical conductors 32,- surrounded by an insulating sheathl 33, connectedy thereto internally and extending` therefrom to fixture 11. Conductors 32 preferably havesufficie'nt slack in the adjacent plug 31y to permit plug 31 to-be inserted into receptacle 17 when-yoke 27 is inthe released-position shown in FIGURE 2.

After insertion of plug 31l in receptacle 17, yoke 27 may beswung upwardly from the position of FIGURE 2-to the-locked position described above and shownin FIG- URE 1.*'I`he-depth of yoke 27 is selected relative to the height of plug 31 so that even though the` plug, is not physicallysecured to the yoke, when the yoke is in the locked position shown in-FIGUREL-the yoke rmly supports-and positions the plug in-receptaclel I7-, preventing any rotationl or other undesired` movement: of the plug.y

Yoke27 also carries avthreaded nipple 3'6 which extends downwardly therefrom and is secured to theyoke bya pair of locknuts 37a, 37b. Nipple 36 may be provided` with a bushing 3'8l (FIGURE 1) which engages the lower nipple threadsto clamp` a'l canopy- 39' against ceiling 12 after installation of the fixture.

In lthe illustrated embodiment, it is assumedl that a cord-hung-,xture isv to be employed.In this-situation, a cordl restrainer 41 may be employed. As is-wellV-known in the art, cord-restrainer 41 iscrirnped-t'o, or otherwise secured to, conductors 32. and their outer covering 33 to relieve these-conductors of any mechanicalV strain in plug 31. Cordl restrainer 41 is-physically supported by yoke member 27, suchV as by having an enlargedportion which seats onl the top` of locknut 37a. Yokelmember 27-,.by supporting cord restrainer 41, thus supports the weight ofV theffixtureywhich is secured toV conductors 32and insulation 33.v

In thefcase of al chain-hung fixture, it will be clear that yokeI member 27v may be provided with a hook or the liker to receive a link ofthe fixture chain for supporting thefixture, while the electrical conductors pass through nipple 36 for connection to the-xture.

Installation of. the fixture hanger of thisy invention is as follows, assuming that an adapter plate 21, riser member 18 and receptacle 17 are in place. Tip 27C of yoke member 27 is inserted in slot Zlc of adapter plate 21, and prongs 31a of plug 31 are inserted into the corresponding openings in receptacle 17. Yoke 27 is then moved upwardly about the hinge formed by tip 27C, and tip 27d is then inserted into opening 21d as described above to firmly lock yoke 27 and the -fixture to box 13 and to irmly clamp plug 31 in position relative to receptacle 17. Bushing 38 may then be advanced on nipple 36 to clamp canopy 39 against ceiling 12 to conceal box 13 and yoke 27.

Removal of the `fixture is correspondingly simple and is accomplished by backing off bushing 38 to lower canopy 39 and then pressing upwardly and inwardly on the one side of yoke 27 to free tip 27d from slot 21d, as described above, and then dropping that end of the yoke clear of adapter plate 21. Plug 31 may then be removed from receptacle 17, and the entire assembly removed by removing tip 27C from opening 21C.

It will be seen that the use of the riser member of this invention permits receptacle 17 to be recessed within box 13 so that plug 31 may extend into box 13 to make electrical connections. This, in turn, results in less of plug 31 extending outside box 13 so that yoke 27 may be made shallower, thus permitting the use of shallower canopies. Additionally, it will be seen that riser member 18 extends beyond the ends or tips 27C, 27d of yoke 27 as they extend through openings 21C, 21d in adapter plate 21. This is effective to prevent these ends 270, 27d from inadvertently coming into electrical contact with any of the wiring 16 within box 13.

Thus, the present invention provides all of the advantages of the invention of my above-identified application in permitting easy installation and removal of light tixtures, and the present invention has the additional advantages of producing a shallower mounting and of providing protection against inadvertent electrical contact within box 13 by the ends of the yoke member 27.

While the above detailed description has shown, described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments, it Will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for mounting an electrical fixture from an outlet box, comprising:

an adapter plate adapted to fit over said box;

a riser member secured to said adapter plate and disposed in said box;

an electrical receptacle secured to said riser member and recessed within said box;

a yoke member releasably engaging said adapter plate;

an electrical plug member for mating with said receptacle in said box, said plug member being disposed above said yoke member and being separable therefrom when said yoke member is disengaged from said adapter plate to permit connection and disconnection of said plug member in said receptacle;

said plug member being supported by said yoke member in at least a partially recessed position in said box when said yoke member is engaged with said adapter plate to maintain good electrical contact between said plug member and said receptacle.;

means electrically connecting said plug member to the electrical fixture; and

`fixture supporting means carried by said yoke member for supporting the electrical fixture when said yoke member is engaged with said adapter plate, said yoke member being releasable from said adapter plate to permit disconnection of said plug member from said receptacle and removal of said fixture.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which said riser member has a planar surface generally parallel with and spaced from said adapter plate and is provided with a central opening for receiving said receptacle.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in which the ends of said yoke member extend through openings in said adapter plate to engage said adapter plate, and said riser member extends beyond said ends of said yoke member to prevent said ends from making electrical contact with wiring within said box.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 in which said openings in said adapter plate have T-shapes, and said ends of said yoke member have a T-shape to releasably engage said openings in said adapter plate.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including a Plastering ring secured to said box, said adapter plate being secured to said plastering ring.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,501,029 7/ 1924 Sargent 240%85 2,199,905 5/1940 Arras 24085 `2,992,323 7/ 1961 Fletcher 240-85 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner. G. M. HOFFMAN, Assistant Examiner, 

1. AN AXLE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A TRANSVERSE MEMBER HAVING SECURED TO ITS ENDS A PAIR OF CRANK ARMS ARRANGED IN SPACED PARALLEL RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER, SAID CRANK ARMS EXTENDING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS FROM THE ENDS OF SAID TRANSVERSE MEMBER IN PLANES NORMAL THERETO, AN AXLE HAVING ITS ENDS SECURED TO THE PORTION OF SAID CRANK ARMS THAT PROJECT BEYOND SAID TRANSVERSE MEMBER, SAID AXLE CROSSING SAID TRANSVERSE MEMBER BETWEEN SAID ARMS, THE ENDS OF SAID AXLE HAVING WHEELS MOUNTED THEREON WITH SAID WHEELS BEING OFFSET WITH RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER AND SAID TRANSVERSE MEMBER. 